La ragazza della quinta strada

For some reason, this doesn't really work. It has a sensational cast. It's part fairy tale, part socio-political commentary, and mostly a romantic comedy.

The romance comes late, though, and seems slightly tacked on/.

Out-of-work Ginger Rogers meets mogul Walter Connolly In Central Park. He's gone there to look at the seals with his butler Franklin Pangborn; and right here something seems a little forced and improbable.

Rogers is a sort of tabula rasa who helps Connolly get back together with his wife -- amusingly played by Veree Teasdale. She also heaps his uninterestingly played daughter break down social barriers to get together with family chauffeur and would-be Socialist, hunky James Ellison. And she helps his son Tim Holt settle down and, as we of course knew she would, gets together with him at the end.

She is like the Terence Stamp character in Pasolini's fascinating "Teorema" almost 30 years later and like Michael York in the thoroughly disagreeable, arch "Something For Everyone" of approximately that same time. Both those characters are overtly sexual, though Rogers is decently not so here, beginning and ending the movie eating an apple. (Eve she is not. More like her Sue-Sue character from "The Major and The Minor.") It's kind of funny and kind of not very funny.

When she and Holt revisit the park bench where she met his father, Jack Carson, playing a Navy man on leave, sits beside them with his lady friend and sings a delightful chanty about temptresses. It's the best I've ever seen him and it's a breath of fresh air and believability for this movie.

The ridiculously rich (look at that mansion) and the perfectly groomed poor. Ginger Rogers proves that she was one of the best comedic, deadpan actresses of her time, even without dancing. The bratty kids, the wise ass chauffeur, the horse faced butler. The clothes, love that 1930-40's look. it must have been a real ego trip to be stinking rich during a time of world wide depression, which made the rich even richer. Great writing, acting and directing. As good as "It happened One Night". There were many movies made in 1939, a couple of them like GWTW and TW of Oz, get all the press but this movie is a gem. Walter Connolly and Verre Teasdale as high society husband and wife are great.

Ginger Rogers seemed to mumble listlessly through a part she didn't like. Tim Holt seemed too immature for the romantic lead and has no chemistry with Ginger. These items detracted from the good screenplay, which has Ginger hired by millionaire Walter Connolly to stay at his house and sort of straighten out his family. It was almost like "My Man Godfrey" (also directed by Gregory La Cava) with the sex roles interchanged, but it was not nearly as good, and certainly did not come close to the pairing of William Powell and Carole Lombard.

Preview comments played a big part in studio decisions in those days. The ending in the film was changed to the one you see after preview audiences panned the original, less happy ending.

After a stressful business meeting, "Amalgamated Pump" millionaire Walter Connolly (as Timothy Borden) returns to his upper fifth avenue Manhattan mansion expecting to receive some "Happy Birthday" wishes. His spoiled, disinterested family has forgotten Mr. Connolly's birthday, however. Connolly goes to Central Park alone and meets sullen, disinterested Ginger Rogers (as Mary Grey). He learns the beautiful apple-chomping woman is homeless and invites Ms. Rogers to dinner. When she spends the night in his guest room, Connolly's family suddenly become interested in the old provider. Connolly invites Rogers to stay and shake up the household...

Produced and directed by Gregory La Cava, this story is similar to his "My Man Godfrey" (1936). When Connolly goes to the park, you know he's either going to be mistaken or a bum or find one; after which, we might poke fun at the idle rich and admire the hard-working poor. For good measure, handsome family chauffeur James Ellison (as Michael "Mike" Farnsbother) dabbles in Communism...

This is a good film, but it should be much better. The production looks great, the situation is fun and several one-liners work. Sadly, the top-billed cast doesn't really click. Rogers appears too elegant and serious; also, she displays little chemistry with her supporting cast, especially leading men Connolly and Tim Holt (as "Tim" Borden). La Cava should have re-cut Rogers' "kitchen knife scene" and added some romance. Rogers should have toned down her movie star looks and added more playfulness to her homeless character.

***** 5th Ave Girl (8/25/39) Gregory La Cava ~ Ginger Rogers, Walter Connolly, Tim Holt, James Ellison

Know Ginger Rogers best from her legendary partnership with another dancing legend Fred Astaire, but she did show numerous times that she fared very well in the acting department as well in comedy and drama. She was my main reason in seeing 'Fifth Avenue Girl'. Have also liked some of Gregory La Cava's other films, namely the wonderful 'Stage Door'. Really liked comedy and romance and they have been known to blend very well together, especially in the golden age of film history.

'Fifth Avenue Girl' is one of those many films from the golden age, but sadly to me it is not one of the classics. Have seen better from Rogers, films and performances, and from La Cava, as well as better blendings of comedy and romance and both elements done better individually in other films. That is not saying that 'Fifth Avenue Girl' is terrible as it isn't, it just wasn't my definition of great and the potential for it to be great was absolutely there.

There are definitely good, even great, things. 'Fifth Avenue Girl' looks great, beautifully photographed that is never too elaborate or too much of a filmed play. The costumes are also suitably distinguished and one of the film's most striking things was that magnificent staircase and the clever way it's used throughout. The music is pleasant, not too chirpy and also not too serious. La Cava has some stylish direction evident.

Although the script is not perfect, it does amuse frequently, intrigues and can be witty and sophisticated. Same goes for the story. Rogers looks lovely and her sass and elegance shines often. Walter Connolly is amusing and Veree Teasdale has fun in her role.

Sadly there are debits. Tim Holt is bland from playing his part too seriously and his chemistry with Rogers always looks stiff and under-rehearsed. Something of a big problem when it plays a sizeable part in the film. Rogers has good moments, but sometimes she is too low-key and some parts are less engaged-looking than others.

Do agree that the script is too talky and too heavy on heavy-handed and of the time social commentary. Some of the pace is sluggish and the ending is rushed and silly.

In conclusion, not bad at all. Just not great. 6/10